The 50 Best Bike Rides in America, State by State

Arkansas

Arkansas River Trail System, Little Rock area

This 88-mile loop connects 38 parks, six museums, more than 5,000 acres of parkland, and countless gorgeous views of the Arkansas River. It’s flat and easy riding, on a mix of off-road paved trails, bike lanes, and rural roads. It’s a favorite among both locals and tourists: AAA’s Southern Traveler magazine has even called this the best bike trail in the south

California

American River Bike Trail, Sacramento to Folsom

Choosing one “best ride” in California is nearly impossible, but this 32-mile route makes a pretty convincing case for itself. It runs from Discovery Park in Old Sacramento to the historic Folsom Prison, following the American River the whole way. “The smooth paved road is simply spellbinding,” wrote Bicycling magazine, as it named the trail one of the 10 best car-free bike paths in the country.

Colorado

Trail 401, Crested Butte

The town of Crested Butte is an outdoor-lover’s paradise, and is known as one of the birthplaces of mountain biking. You can choose from hundreds of miles of high-alpine trails, including the super popular Trail 401 loop: It’s 14 miles of intermediate-level ups and downs, leading to an 11,339-foot summit and 360-degree views of the Elk Mountains.